Medication dispenser and schedule reminder

ABSTRACT

My invention relates to a device for containing medication and for indicating the time when such medication should be taken. The device comprises a base having a plurality of compartments arranged in a circle, and a cover rotatably carried by the base and overlying the compartments. A circular wall defines the outer peripheral portions of the compartments and a circular ledge circumscribes the wall and has an upwardly facing saw-tooth edge. A screw-threaded hub extends upwardly from the center portion of the compartments. The cover is formed of a transparent material, such as clear plastic, and is in the form of a circular disc with a central opening to pass the threaded hub, and an off-center opening, which may be aligned with a selected compartment. The cover has a depending peripheral flange with a saw-tooth edge which is complementary to the edge of the circular ledge. An internally threaded cap is threaded on the hub to hold the cover in place and against unintentional rotation by reason of the fact that the complementary saw-tooth edges are held in mating relationship. All, or selected compartments, are filled with prescribed medicinal tablets and each compartment is marked with a prescribed indicia, such as certain hours of the day. At the prescribed time, the user will rotate the cap in a direction to permit a slight elevation of the cover to disengage the saw-tooth edges, whereby the cover may be rotated to align the cover opening with the desired compartment. The cap is then threaded to move the cover onto the compartments and to engage the saw-tooth edges, and the device may be inverted to remove the tablet from the compartment, through the opening in the cover. If the medication to be taken is in liquid form, a reminder, such as a miniature teaspoon or tablespoon, may be placed in the prescribed compartments.

United States Patent Ewing MEDICATION DISPENSER AND SCHEDULE REMINDERCharles C. Ewing, 715 Broadway, Wellsville. Ohio 43968 Filed: Aug. 28,1974 Appl. No.: 501,056

[76] lnventor:

US. Cl. 116/121; 206/534; 206/538 Int. Cl. G09F 9/40 Field of Search1l6/l21; 206/538, 539,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1958 Barnett 116/121 9/1963Lundquist 220/327 9/1970 Secondino 116/121 1/1971 Rigney et al...116/121 2/1971 McCool 206/533 Primary ExaminerRichard C. QueisserAssistant Examiner-Marcus S. Rasco Attorney, Agent, or Firm-MichaelWilliams [5 7 ABSTRACT A circular wall defines the outer peripheralportions of [111 3,911,856 [451 Oct. 14,1975

the compartments and a circular ledge circumscribes the wall and has anupwardly facing saw-tooth edge. A screw-threaded hub extends upwardlyfrom the center portion of the compartments.

The cover is formed of a transparent material, such as clear plastic,and is in the form of a circular disc with a central opening to pass thethreaded hub, and an off-center opening, which may be aligned with aselected compartment. The cover has a depending peripheral flange with asaw-tooth edge which is complementary to the edge of the circular ledge.An internally threaded cap is threaded on the hub to hold the cover inplace and against unintentional rotation by reason of the 'fact that thecomplementary saw-tooth edges are held in mating relationship.

All, or selected compartments, are filled with prescribed medicinaltablets and each compartment is marked with a prescribed indicia, suchas certain hours of the day. At the prescribed time, the user willrotate the cap in a direction to permit a slight elevation of the coverto disengage the saw-tooth edges, whereby the cover may be rotated toalign the cover opening with the desired compartment. The cap is thenthreaded to move the cover onto the compartments and to engage thesaw-tooth edges, and the device may be inverted to remove the tabletfrom the compartment, through the opening in the cover.

If the medication to be taken is in liquid form, a reminder, such as aminiature teaspoon or tablespoon, may be placed in the prescribedcompartments.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent 00. 14, 1975 3,911,856

4@ 5 "'"lllllllllllll J MEDICATION DISPENSER AND SCHEDULE REMINDERBACKGROUND AND SUMMARY The use of rotatably arranged compartments, and acover for controlling access to a selected compartment, are known in theart. However, the devices of the prior art are not as reliable as thatof my invention, and in large part are of complicated construction.

My improved device is particularly adapted for use by the elderly whoare perhaps not as alert as they used to be and who possess a limitedamount of strength. In such cases, the structures of the prior art arebelieved to be unsuitable. It should be pointed out that the reliabilityand ease of operation of my improved device make it suitable for use bypersons of all ages, except the very young.

The device comprises a base having a plurality of radially arrangedcompartments which open upwardly of the base. A transparent covercontrols access to any one of the compartments. A date selector and atimer are incorporated into the base to provide reminders to the personwho is required to take medication at prescribed times.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing accompanying thisspecification and forming a part of this application there is shown, forpurpose of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume,and in this drawing:

FIG. I is a perspective view of my improved device, with parts shown inseparated relation,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view corresponding generally to the line22 of FIG. I, but with parts in assembled relation, and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of details which may be used in conjunctionwith the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT My improved device comprises abase which may assume any desired shape, such as the box-like shape inthe drawings. The base may be formed of any suitable material, andpresently it is preferred to mold the base of a rigid plastic material.

An integral, circular wall 11 extends upwardly from the base and formsthe peripheral boundary for a plurality of similar compartments l2defined by a plurality of ribs 14 extending radially from a centralthreaded hub 15 which projects above the plane defined by the upperedges of the ribs. Any desired number of compartments may be providedand I presently prefer l8 compartments, each marked with an hour of theday, such as from 6 am. to II p.m., since these are the hours duringwhich the majority of medication is taken.

A circular ledge 16 circumscribes the lower part of the wall 11 and mayalso be integral with the base. The ledge has an upwardly facingsaw-tooth edge 17 to provide equally spaced crests 18 and troughs 19 toform teeth 20 which, in the disclosed embodiment, are 18 in number tocorrespond to the number of compartments. The troughs 19 are alignedwith the radial eenterline of respective compartments, and the hourdesignation is formed on the upper surface of the base, in line with thetroughs, as seen in FIG. I.

The base 10 also carries a date selector 25 which may be of any suitablecommercially available type. As herein disclosed, the date selector hasa pair of thumb wheels 26 which are independently rotatable to make itpossible for the user to establish a selected date in the sightingwindow 27. Also carried by the base l0'is a timer 28, preferably of thespring-wound type for purposes of economy and simplicity, although asmall, battery operated clock, incorporating a timer, may be used. Anysuitable, conventionally available timer may be used and in thedisclosed embodiment the timer is spring-wound to operate for a periodof about 6 hours. A winding knob 29 and a timer setting knob 30 projectupwardly from the base.

A cover 35 is adapted to close the compartments 12 and, as seen in FIG.1, comprises a circular disc 36 with a depending peripheral wall 37. Thecover is formed of a rigid transparent material, such as clear plastic,and has a central opening 38 to closely pass the threaded hub 15. Theperipheral wall 37 closely fits around the circular wall 11 of the base,as seen in FIG. 2, and its edge is formed with saw teeth 39 which arecomplementary to the saw teeth 20 of the circular ledge 16. The cover isprovided with an off-center wedge-shaped opening 40 which may be alignedwith a selected one of the compartments l2. 1

An internally threaded cap 45 (see FIG. 2) is provided to hold the cover35 in place over the'compartments, and this cap may also be formed of arigid plastic material. As a safety feature, a cover cap 46 is disposedover the cap 45 and the cover cap may be formed of a soft plasticmaterial so that unless it is squeezed to grip the cap 45, it will onlyrotate about such cap and therefore will not effect any threading actionof the cap 45.

As a recommended use of my improved device, a person each night beforeretiring should set the date selector for the following date and selectthe medication for the following day and deposit it in the compartmentsmarked with the time for taking the medication. It is assumed that thecap 45 has been unthreaded from the hub 15 sufficiently to permitrotation of the cover.

35. If the medication is in tablet or pill form, the tablets T aredeposited in the proper compartment. If the medication is in liquidform, a reminder is placed in the proper compartment. As presentlypreferred, such reminders may take the form of miniature teaspoons andtablespoons 47 and 48, shown in FIG. 3. To further avoid confusion, thespoons may be marked S and L to indicate small and large.

As an example of use, if one tablet is to be taken every 4 hours, theperson will place one tablet in each of the 8 am, 12 noon, 4 p.m., and 8p.m., compartments and this may be accomplished by rotating the cover 35to align the opening 40 with the respective compartments and droppingthe tablet through the opening. When the last tablet has been depositedwithin its compartment, the cover 35 is rotated to align it with acompartment that does not contain a tablet and the cap 35 threaded downin the hub 15 to interengage the mating teeth 20 and 39, to preventrotation of the cover. If desired, a door (not shown) may be provided toclose the opening 40.

It is preferable that the tablets or reminders are placed in thecompartments at night before retiring. Therefore, upon arising the nextday, the entire days medication has been pre-selected and pre-locatedand is visible through the clear plastic cover 35. Thus, in the exampleof the four tablets above noted, at 8 a.m., the user will unscrew thecap 45 sufficiently to permit the cover 35 to be raised enough to clearthe mating teeth 20 and 39. The cover is then rotated until the opening40 is aligned with the compartment 12 bearing the 8 a.m. designation,and the cap is then threaded down on the knob 15 to again engage themating teeth to prevent rotation of the cover. The base 10 may then beinverted so that the tablet T will drop out of its compartment 12,through the opening 40, and into the hand of the user.

When the first tablet has been taken, its compartment will be empty anda person will not need to wonder whether or not the 8 am. medication hadbeen taken. Looking through the clear plastic cover 35, the user willsee that the next tablet should be taken at noon, so he or she will setthe timer 28 to give an alarm 4 hours hence. This will be repeatedduring the day until all tablets have been taken.

My improved device is particularly useful, as above noted, for theelderly or where mental alertness is not present but where constant careis not needed. In this case, a nurse or one of the family may load thecompartments with the proper medication and make sure that the firsttablet is taken in the morning. The timer may then be set so that theperson requiring the medication may take personal care for the remainderof the day. If the tablets are not taken, as required, they will remainin their compartments to provide visible evidence that the medicationhas not been taken.

I claim:

1. A medication dispenser and schedule reminder comprising a base havinga circular wall extending upwardly therefrom, said wall defining thebottom boundary of a plurality of compartments formed by a plurality ofspaced ribs radiating from a center upstanding hub on said base, eachcompartment opening upwardly and adapted to contain an object such as amedicinal tablet or medicine reminder to be taken at a predeterminedtime,

a cover of a size to overlie all of said compartments and having acentral opening to pass said hub therethrough whereby said cover isrotatable about said hub, said cover having an offcenter opening whichmay be rotatably aligned with a selected compartment so that thecontents may be removed,

a circular ledge circumscribing said base circular wall at its lowerportion, said ledge having a serrated upper edge,

said cover having a circular flange bounding said base wall and having aserrated lower edge interfitting with and complementary to said serratedupper edge of said base ledge, and,

a retainer cap having means threadedly cooperable with said hub wherebysaid cap overlies said cover and releasably securable to said hub tohold said cover in position closing said compartments excepting thecompartment exposed by said cover opening,

the complementary base ledge and cover flange serrations mating andseating when said cap is secured to said hub thereby to restrictrotation of said cover,

thereby to ensure that only the selected exposed medication is taken atthe predetermined time and whereby loosening of said retainer capreleases the engaging serrations and permits turning of said cover toexpose a further compartment containing medicament for anotherpredetermined time.

2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein the serrations on saidledge edge are upwardly facing teeth, and the serrations on said flangeare downwardly facing teeth.

3. The construction according to claim 2 wherein said teeth areV-shaped.

4. The construction according to claim 2 wherein said teeth provideequally spaced crests and troughs, the latter in a number equal to thenumber of compartments and respectively radially aligned therewith,whereby said cover opening is aligned with a said compartment in everycomplementary mating position of said upper and lower teeth.

5. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said base supports atimer which may be set to provide a signal when a selected time haselapsed.

6. The construction according to claim 5 wherein said base also supportsa date selector.

7. The construction of claim 1 including time indicia on saidbasealigned with each of said tooth troughs and each of said compartments.

1. A medication dispenser and schedule reminder comprising a base havinga circular wall extending upwardly therefrom, said wall defining thebottom boundary of a plurality of compartments formed by a plurality ofspaced ribs radiating from a center upstanding hub on said base, eachcompartment opening upwardly and adapted to contain an object such as amedicinal tablet or medicine reminder to be taken at a predeterminedtime, a cover of a size to overlie all of said compartments and having acentral opening to pass said hub therethrough whereby said cover isrotatable about said hub, said cover having an offcenter opening whichmay be rotatably aligned with a selected compartment so that thecontents may be removed, a circular ledge circumscribing said basecircular wall at its lower portion, said ledge having a serrated upperedge, said cover having a circular flange bounding said base wall andhaving a serrated lower edge interfitting with and complementary to saidserrated upper edge of said base ledge, and, a retainer cap having meansthreadedly cooperable with said hub whereby said cap overlies said coverand releasably securable to said hub to hold said cover in positionclosing said compartments excepting the compartment exposed by saidcover opening, the complementary base ledge and cover flange serrationsmating and seating when said cap is secured to said hub tHereby torestrict rotation of said cover, thereby to ensure that only theselected exposed medication is taken at the predetermined time andwhereby loosening of said retainer cap releases the engaging serrationsand permits turning of said cover to expose a further compartmentcontaining medicament for another predetermined time.
 2. Theconstruction according to claim 1 wherein the serrations on said ledgeedge are upwardly facing teeth, and the serrations on said flange aredownwardly facing teeth.
 3. The construction according to claim 2wherein said teeth are V-shaped.
 4. The construction according to claim2 wherein said teeth provide equally spaced crests and troughs, thelatter in a number equal to the number of compartments and respectivelyradially aligned therewith, whereby said cover opening is aligned with asaid compartment in every complementary mating position of said upperand lower teeth.
 5. The construction according to claim 1 wherein saidbase supports a timer which may be set to provide a signal when aselected time has elapsed.
 6. The construction according to claim 5wherein said base also supports a date selector.
 7. The construction ofclaim 1 including time indicia on said base aligned with each of saidtooth troughs and each of said compartments.